Hanger for bathtubs and the like



Oct. 22, 1968 F. M. DIRKS HANGER FOR BATHTUBS AND THE LIKE Filed March 11, 1966 11v VENTOR A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,406,936 HANGER FOR BATHTUBS AND THE LIKE Francis M. Dirks, 604 S. Cloudas Ave., Sioux Falls, S. Dak. 57103 Filed Mar. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 533,561 1 Claim. (Cl. 248-216) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hanger plate having a shelf for supporting the rear flange of a bathtub from wall studs. The hanger is adjustably secured to a stud at a selected measured height.

The present invention relates to a bracket or hanger for supporting bathtubs and the like from wall studs. More particularly the invention pertains to an adjustable metal hanger secured to a wall stud at a selected measured height and having a shelf upon which the rear flange of the tub rests. The hanger is designed to prevent creeping of the tub with respect to a juxtaposed wall, thus minimizing the possibility of cracks between the tub and the walls such that seepage of water could result.

The following description is directed to the installation of bathtubs, but it is to be understood that the equipment and procedure is equally applicable to other similar household and building appurtenances.

The conventional manner in which tubs are installed at the present time includes the provision of wood props engaging the underside of a side flange of the tub, the props being nailed to wall studs. In time these wood props shrink, the tub being then lowered sufficiently to creep away from plaster or tile, the resulting crack being exposed to water which seeps into the wall. The employment of a metal hanger eliminates this objection.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of this invention to provide a permanently stable support for the tub.

It is a further object to provide an adjustable metal hanger which is easily installed in much less time than is required to mount the tub on wood props.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the hangers showing their attachment to wall studs, the tub being shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the hangers shown in FIG. 1, the stud being partially broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hanger illustrated in FIG. 2, the tub flange being shown in section.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tub hanger is shown attached to the usual wall stud 11, the flange 12 of tub 13 resting on a coplanar laterally extending shelf portion 14 of the hanger at one side thereof. The hanger 10 is 3,406,936 Patented Oct. 22, 1968 formed from a metal plate of suitable gauge and is provided with a narrow vertical slot 15 extending parallel to the vertical edges of the plate above the shelf 14. The width of the slot is suflicient to accommodate headed nail 16 having washer 17 thereon. The plate is also provided with nail holes 18. Angular flanges 19, 19 extend from the edge of the plate below the shelf 14 for a purpose to be referred to later.

The manner in which the support is aflixed to the studs will now'be described. The hanger 10 is held against a stud 11 with its forward edge flush with the front of the stud. Depending on which side of the stud the hanger is secured, one of the flanges 19, 19 engages the front of the stud. Nail 16 is now driven through slot 15 into the stud until the washer rests firmly against but in such frictional engagement with the hanger that the latter may be moved up or down with respect to the stud. With the front of the tub resting on the floor the ends of the tub are leveled and at the same time the hanger is adjusted to bring shelf 14 into engagement with the underside of tub flange 12. Nail 16 is then driven into the wall stud to hold the hanger in supporting position. Other nails are driven into stud 11 through holes 18 providing a firm and stable support for the wall side of the tub. Flanges 19, 19 not only act as guides during installation but form added stability to the support.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described, it is intended that such modifications as fall within the terms of the appended claim could be utilized.

What is claimed is:

1. For mounting a bathtub on the studding of a building wall, a supporting hanger comprising a metal plate having a shelf-like coplanar portion extending from one edge thereof to provide support for the rear flange of the tub and having a longitudinally extending slot parallel to said edge, said slot being disposed above said shelf-like portion, driven fastening means extending through said slot and frictionally engaging said plate during installation thereof for adjustably securing said plate to the studding at a selected height while the shelf-like portion is in engagement with the rear flange of the tub, and a pair of flanges disposed below said shelf-like portion and extending transversely to the plane of the plate in opposite directions for abutting the studding to guide and stabilize said plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,938,818 12/ 1933 Erickson et a] 248-300 X 1,987,740 1/ 1935 Jameson 4-173 2,117,233 5/1938 Clark 238-300 X 2,689,101 9/ 1954 Dygert 248-216 2,890,851 6/ 8 Anderle 248---201 JOHN PETO, Primary Examiner. 

